CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 105, 23 June 1900, Page 3

CENTRAL SCHOOL.

PRESENTATIONS TO MR. ALFRED GKAY. < An iosianca of tho thorough way it j I which the teachers and ech-hrs of thi ] lOei tral Schojl carry out any projaci 'i tht-y have in hard W"« afforded on '' .Friday aft rnoon, when Mr. Alfred , Gray, th; 3 popular second assistant- s master aid lieutenant of the Oadet \ Oompiny, was made the recipient of 1 several useful presents from the staff \ ui;d scbohrf, on tho occasion of his . approaching marriage. The large room \ nas uncomfortably crowded, as, in addi- J tion to the teachers, the sth, and - 6th Standards assembled there at 3 o'clock. The animation and suppressed excitement of the children amply testi- ( fied to the pleasure that the occasion i called forth, and although the teachers ' naturally wore that calm, judicial air l \i inseparable from their profession, there was an eyident undercurrent of feeling which is common to all humanity in the exercise of the greatest of all the pleasures in life— '' that of giving pleasure to another, Amidst profound silence Mr. Dempsey, the headmaster, opened the proceedings with a few appropriate remarks, in which he alluded to the object for which they were met together, and called on Mr, 0. Johnson, the first assistant-master, to make the first presentation. ' Mr, Johnson then, on behalf of himself and the assistants and pupil teachers, asked Mr. Gray's acceptance of a silver cake basket. In graceful terms he referred to the excellent feeling existing between the members of the staff, and to the high esteem in which Mr. Gray was held by his colleagues, and expressed a hope that Mr, Gray would accept the offered gift as an earnest of their best wishes for prolonged happiness in his wedded life. f ' Mr. EJampsey, on behalf of the senior boys, then presented Mr. Gray with, a ' platform-rpcker-chairancUet of carvers. In doing this Mr. Etempgay voiced, in no uncertain terms, the boys' perfect appreciation of Mr. Gray's untiring efforts in encouraging and fostering the various games and sports in connection with the school. This attention to the physical as well as the mental training of the pupils, said Mr. Deinpsey. bore, fruit, and Showed that Mr. Gray, iu'common with all right-minded peopL', believed in good results accruing from, $ sound mind in a sound body. He then paid a tribute to Mr, Gray's success a.s a teacher, and congratulated him. on the esteem in which he was held by the boys, concluding with a graphic and humorous sketch of Mr. Gray at home after his marriage, blessed, not only with the presence of a ohariaing wife, but' also ' with a comfortable chair to place at her disposal or use himself as might be mutually arranged. The next presentation'came from the pupils of Standard IY. (Mr. Gray's own class), and consisted of a Rochester lamp and a jam spoon. This gift also was accompanied by many expressions of hearty good-will. The following i individual presents were also made , Biscuit barrel, from Masters 1 Willie atid t Harold Richards j silver pickle' fork ( ton IlKtw Km Anm gh°te kim

from Miss Irene Aicken ; album, from Master Sidney Avery; photo frame, from Miss Clara Hawkins; walkingstick and glass bowl, from Mr. Fincham, custodian. Each presentation was followed by loud applause, and, when the list was exhausted, three hearty cheers were given for Mr. Gray and his bride-elect. No sooner was quiet restored than Mr, Gray rose to return thanks. Curiosity and tendon were now at straining point. The e.iger faces of the children sepmed filled with the anticipated delight of hearing thtir respected teacher express his thanks for their tokens so gladly and willingly bestowed on him. ,To say that Mr. Gray was equal to the trying ideal would be superfluous. Happily striking apa'riotic key-note he touched the very chord that would answer to the vibrations that predominated on the occas'on. He feelingly expressed his deep gratification at receiving so many gifts from those with and for whom he had been working, and particularly refern d to the pleasure ic gave him to be remembered by the biys who had passed out of the school. Referring to the mention that had been made cf his efforts in encouraging the various games and sports, ho said that he strongly bslieved in all those connected with the school working together for its honour and credit and ensuring that esprit de corps without which no school could be successful. He had, as far as lay in his power, striven to inculcate both in school and in recreation the necetsity for sinking individuality and for furthering unity of action and unity of purpose, oniy to be secured by all working in harmonious co-opera-tion. He assured all present that he highly appreciated the gifts bestowed on him, and, in conclusion, called for three hearty cheers for " the school." The pent-up energy of the scholars now found vent, and the call was lustily responded to, after which the children were dismissed for the midwinter holidays.